Everything looked like attacks by neo-Nazis: Green councillor Manoj Subramaniam (33) received death threats, razor blades were stuck in his mail. He reported slashed tyres to the police and swastika graffiti and the word “Jew” were found on his car. A letter mentioned the day of his death on September 1. It was signed by NSU 2.0, the successors of the right-wing terrorist murder gang National Socialist Underground.
The Aachen police’s State Protection Service started an investigation in July. All parties in the Erkelenz city council demonstratively stood in front of the local politician. In a press release, Hans-Josef Dederichs, spokesperson for the Green Party, expressed his sincere thanks for the support: “What happened there is depressing and shameful. All the more important that we stand together as democratic parties.”
Subramaniam, who was allegedly persecuted, stressed that he wants to continue and intensify his commitment. “These people don’t get me muzzled,” he recently told the newspaper Aachener Zeitung. “Our respect goes to Manoj, who does not let it get him down…” the party colleagues praised the unwavering courage of the politician, who has his roots in Sri Lanka. From then on, the police put the Green under personal protection.
In the meantime, however, the right-wing extremist smear campaign has apparently turned out to be a fairy tale. A spokeswoman for the public prosecutor’s office in Mönchengladbach told FOCUS Online that the politician had staged the whole scenario himself. “In the course of the investigation, the suspicion was confirmed that the reported offences did not occur, that they were faked and that there was no threat.”
During a search of Subramaniam’s flat, evidence was discovered. For example, the paint with which the inflammatory graffiti was allegedly painted. In addition, the accused is said to have literally collapsed during his interrogation and to have largely admitted the offences. Investigators did not want to comment on his motive.
The Green Party leadership in North Rhine-Westphalia is in sheer horror. Yazgülü Zeybek and Tim Achtermeyer said on request: “Hate and threats of violence are a big problem in our country. We are all the more shocked by the fact that Manoj Subramaniam has feigned criminal offences against himself.” He said the councillor was expected to resign his offices and mandates. In addition, further steps would be examined “as soon as all details are known”.